This on-line publication is a complete translation of a famous work of Sanskrit
literature, called the `Vatsyayana Kama Sutra', or Aphorisms on Love, written by
Vatsyayana.

It's not possible to know the exact date either of the life of Vatsyayana or the the date
of his writings. Scholars guestimate that he must have lived between the first and sixth
century of the Christian era. That makes the Kama Sutra approximately two thousand
years old.

People I have known, who've read or skimmed The Kama Sutra always say the same
thing, " It's not what I expected." It's not a manual of sexual positions. This is true,
although scattered throughout are descriptions of many sexual positions with amusing
names applicable to the era. The Kama Sutra is a manual intended to educate young
Hindu men in the ways of love and sex in the customs of two thousand years ago.

I think this book has taken on mythical status in our society for two reasons;
One: It's the oldest surviving, and therefore in people's minds, the first, book written on
sexual etiquette and technique.
Two: It's language is anchient and therefore very hard to comprehend. Very few people
actually read it entirely.

Like the Bible or Shakespeare it's not an easy read. Most reader's I've spoken with,
just skim to the good parts! There's nothing wrong with that! If you want to do that,
I recommend reading only the Ten Chapters of Part Two "On Sexual Union". The other
Parts of this book are fascinating from a historical perspective, but not useful as a
'manual' in today's society.

This book is a worthwhile read in it's entirety. It opens a window to Indian Hindu society
two thousand years ago, and also a window into human sexuality that is fascinating when
compared to contemporary times.

Special thanks to Zef for donating this online version of the Kama Sutra. Please visit!

Part One: INTRODUCTORY
1. Introduction
2. Observations on the three worldly attainments of Virtue, Wealth, and Love
3. On the study of the Sixty-four Arts
4. On the Arrangements of a House, and Household Furniture; and about the Daily Life of a Citizen, his Companions, Amusements, etc.
5. About classes of Women fit and unfit for Congress with the Citizen, and of Friends, and Messengers

Part Two: ON SEXUAL UNION
1. Kinds of Union according to Dimensions, Force of Desire, and Time; and on the different kinds of Love
2. Of the Embrace
3. On Kissing
4. On Pressing or Marking with the Nails
5. On Biting, and the ways of Love to be employed with regard to Women of different countries
6. On the various ways of Lying down, and the different kinds of Congress
7. On the various ways of Striking, and of the Sounds appropriate to them
8. About females acting the part of Males
9. On holding the Lingam in the Mouth
10. How to begin and how to end the Congress. Different kinds of Congress, and Love Quarrels

Part Three: ABOUT THE ACQUISITION OF A WIFE
1. Observations on Betrothal and Marriage
2. About creating Confidence in the Girl
3. Courtship, and the manifestation of the feelings by outward signs and deeds
4. On things to be done only by the Man, and the acquisition of the Girl thereby. Also what is to be done by a Girl to gain over a Man and subject him to her
5. On the different Forms of Marriage

Part Four: ABOUT A WIFE
1. On the manner of living of a virtuous Woman, and of her behaviour during the absence of her Husband
2. On the conduct of the eldest Wife towards the other Wives of her Husband, and of the younger Wife towards the elder ones. Also on the conduct of a Virgin Widow remarried; of a Wife disliked by her Husband; of the Women in the King's Harem; and of a Husband who has more than one Wife

Part Five: ABOUT THE WIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE
1. On the Characteristics of Men and Women, and the reason why Women reject the Addresses of Men. About Men who have Success with Women, and about Women who are easily gained over
2. About making Acquaintance with the Woman, and of the efforts to gain her over
3. Examination of the State of a Woman's mind
4. The Business of a Go-Between
5. On the Love of Persons in authority with the Wives of other People
6. About the Women of the Royal Harem, and of the keeping of one's own Wife

Part Six: ABOUT COURTESANS
1. Of the Causes of a Courtesan resorting to Men; of the means of Attaching to herself the Man desired, and the kind of Man that it is desirable to be acquainted with
2. Of a Courtesan living with a Man as his Wife
3. Of the Means of getting Money; of the Signs of a Lover who is beginning to be Weary, and of the way to get rid of him
4. About a Reunion with a former Lover
5. Of different kinds of Gain
6. Of Gains and Losses, attendant Gains and Losses, and Doubts; and lastly, the different kinds of Courtesans

Part Seven: ON THE MEANS OF ATTRACTING OTHERS TO ONE'S SELF
1. On Personal Adornment, subjugating the hearts of others, and of tonic medicines
2. Of the means of exciting Desire, and of the ways of enlarging the Lingam.